370 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



When the bed is through blooming and the stems begin to 

 wither, take up and dry the bulbs under cover. When dry 

 cut off the stems, and keep under cover dry until time for 

 replanting in the fall. After the bed is cleared it is planted 

 with canna or German aster for late summer and autumn 

 blooming. 



375. Less Hardy Holland Bulbs. — The hyacinth, narcis- 

 sus, and crocus bulbs are also planted in the fall in beds in 

 the States east of the lakes and in the South. In the 

 Western States, on dry soil and with leaf protection in 

 winter, they are also grown, but not with the simple care 

 required by the tulip, especially after the first crop of 

 bloom from the imported bulbs. Indeed, in the South the 

 bsst results seem to come from the best grades of imported 

 bulbs. But when the bulbs are selected and, after drying, 

 are rolled up in p;ip3r, or mingled with dry sand and kept 

 in a dry place, they do fairly well for replanting in the fall. 

 The hyacinth and narcissus are planted some deeper than 

 the tulip, but the crocus is not planted more than one inch 

 deep after firming the soil. 



376. The Canna. — By crossing and selection the florists 

 have made remarkable advances with the canna within 

 recent years, in shortening the growth and improving the 

 flowers in size and beauty. Some of the French, Italian, 

 and Crozy varieties of the present are a wonderful advance 

 on the '•' Indian shot " of a few years ago. Like the tulip, 

 after a start of the best varieties has been secured, they 

 may be retained with moderate care for many years. On 

 large lawns quite extended circular beds, with castor-bean 

 plants in the centre and an edging of upright vinca, give a 

 fine effect. Against a background of green the richly col- 

 ored flowers show well. They are also used for centre- 

 pieces for flower-beds, and also in small groups on borders 

 and iu shrubbery group borders. As the flowers begin to 



